Alstom has won a contracts with PGE Górnictwo i Energetyka Konwencjonalna S.A.worth approximately €25 million (under PLN 110 million) to retrofit unit 2 of Elektrownia Bełchatów, Europe’s largest and world’s second largest lignite power plant.

The contract covers the modernisation of the High Pressure (HP) and Intermediate Pressure (IP) parts and related auxiliary systems of the steam turbine as well as the generator in unit 2. Alstom will be responsible for the engineering, delivery and supervision over erection.

The retrofit will increase the plant output by 20 MW. The project will improve plant efficiency thus reducing annual CO2 emissions by 100,000 tons. With these measures implemented, the unit will comply with the requirements set out in Directive 2001/80/EC on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants. The retrofit will additionally improve the unit’s operating availability and reliability and extend its lifecycle by another 25 years.

“Retrofit is a fast and cost-effective method of increasing generation capacity, improving efficiency, and reducing pollution emissions while extending power plant lifecycle. We are happy that PGE decided to trust Alstom’s leading technology again and chose the cutting-edge approach to integrated retrofit projects to modernise the power plant and improve its efficiency”, said Hans Peter Meer, Senior Vice President of Alstom Thermal Services.

Presently, Alstom is implementing contracts to modernise power units 7-12 in the Belchatow plant covering the modernisation of the steam turbine, generator and electrostatic precipitator. Alstom has previously retrofitted units 3-6, which are already in operation.

The Bełchatów power plant modernisation started in 1997 when PGE and Alstom signed a contract to retrofit steam turbine low-pressure parts of all units. Since then, PGE has been continuing with modernisation of units 3-12 in order to meet the requirements of EU Directives on pollution emissions and to extend the units’ lifetime.

Alstom has successfully retrofitted close to 1000 steam turbines worldwide and is the global leader in delivering turbine retrofit solutions. Alstom is the original manufacturer of over 80% of the Polish steam turbine fleet through Zamech, a former State-owned steam turbine manufacturer which joined the Alstom group in 1990. Alstom’s Elbląg factory supports the development process of retrofit solutions applied in lignite/hard coal and nuclear power plants both in Poland and abroad.